The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). . G% \8 P q& ]. d" t/ t6 [. M! S3 z5 @ $ k& R q' }( w# X; ?A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government will reduce the maximum amortization period of a mortgage to 25 years from 30 years, and lower the level of home equity that can be borrowed against to 80 percent from 85 percent.& c9 i* e, w& o' O$ ?2 K8 Q